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Monday, February 11, 2013

Cartwright Coaching In Japan

He’s probably the most accomplished athlete to ever graduate
from Elk Grove High School. James “Bill” Cartwright was the most formidable
high school basketball player in the area in the mid-70’s. He went on to become
an All-American at the University of San Francisco.

Bill Carwright, now coaching
in Japanese Pro League

Cartwright then played 16 seasons for the New York Knicks,
Seattle Supersonics and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA, winning three
championships with the Bulls alongside of Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen in
the early-90’s.

The 7-1 Cartwright retired after the 94-95 season but became
an assistant coach under Phil Jackson and won three more championships.

Cartwright briefly was the head coach of the Bulls between
2002 and 2003. He then was an assistant coach for several seasons with the Nets
and, more recently, the Suns.

But, now Cartwright is a head coach once again. He’s in Japan
coaching the Osaka Evessa.

Cartwright is just the second former NBA coach to be hired
in Japan. Bob Hill, former head coach for Indiana and San Antonio, was the
first.

He does have a couple Americans on his team, dominated by
Japanese players. Michael Bell played collegiately for Florida Atlantic
University and Rick Rickert played at Minnesota.

Earlier this year Cartwright was selected to be a part of
the inaugural class of the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame. Also inducted were
baseball manager Dusty Baker, swimmer Summer Sanders, basketball player Kevin
Johnson and boxer Tony Lopez.